An endocrinologist is a specialist in hormonal disorders. I'm a "gland doctor" as my sister so eloquently put it. I see a lot of diabetics in my clinic.
Usually, when you require insulin, you have to give yourself anywhere from one to four or more shots a day. It's a pain, literally and figuratively. Some patients require insulin for the rest of their life. A few will qualify for an insulin pump.
The pump is the size of a deck of cards and delivers a continuous stream of insulin. You put a new site in every 3 days. One "shot" every three days instead of 3-4 times a day.
Sounds great, right? Really easy?
Well, it's actually a lot of work. You have to check your blood sugars 6-7 times a day. You have to accurately judge how many carbs you are going to eat and tell the machine accordingly so you can receive an accurate dose of insulin. And if there's a problem with any part of the pump, your blood sugar can skyrocket really fast and make you seriously ill. If you aren't on top of this, things will go south fast.
But patients don't want to hear that part. They hear one "stick" every 3 days instead of several times a day and want one now like Veruca from Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. And woe be unto you if you're the endocrinologist who dares to say no.
One patient who wants a pump won't take her insulin on a regular basis. Her blood sugar hasn't been below 300 in months (normal is around 100). She won't check her blood sugars and doesn't follow her diet.
But I'm suppose to approve a $5000 piece of equipment on the basis that you want it because you can't "remember" to take your shots. Sorry if your buddies in your same situation got a pump. No, I don't know how their doctor managed it. Let's focus on getting your diabetes under control now instead of several months down the road when your pump may or may not come.
Unfortuately there are no quick fixes in diabetes. Diet, exercise, and taking your medications regularly are the best treatments. An insulin pump isn't always the answer.
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